Gavin Schall here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Hartbreaker
Heartbreak In MSG
The New York Knicks faced a gut-wrenching defeat at MSG, a game that was as thrilling as it was frustrating. After overcoming a 22 point 3rd quarter deficit to take multiple leads, including one final one on a Jalen Brunson layup with 4.1 seconds left, the Knicks fumbled the bag with Josh Hart’s three point butt tap foul on Coby White and Brunson’s buzzer beating turnaround jumper rolling in and out at the horn.
A Tale of Two Halves
The Knicks’ performance was a tale of two halves. The first half was marred by sluggish defense and a lack of respect for the Bulls, who capitalized on the Knicks’ mistakes.
The transition defense was porous, allowing 26 fast break points, a number that even the league-leading Toronto Raptors would envy. Karl-Anthony Towns was a bright spot, scoring 46 points raining six threes on twelve attempts and treating Nikola Vucevic as a human turnstile in repeatedly torching him off the bounce. And it’s probably time to have a conversation about Towns being the most consistent and fiery Knick through 11 games.
However, the Knicks’ defensive lapses allowed the Bulls to stay in the game, with players like Ayo Dosunmu and Zach LaVine taking advantage of the repeated over-helping that’s been plaguing the team all season.
In the second half, the Knicks showed signs of life and the Garden crowd played a pivotal role, in rattling the Bulls.
The Knicks went on a 17-0 run, fueled by the relentless energy of the crowd and a the bench heavy unit led by 140 pounds of bravado in human form Cam Payne and Towns catching fire before ultimately giving way down the stretch.
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
This game served as a reminder that no team can be taken lightly in the NBA. The Knicks’ lack of urgency in the first half came back to haunt them. The Knicks are an individually accomplished bunch that don’t have a resume to speak of as a group. They’re not the Celtics, they’re ot the Nuggets. They haven’t earned the right to overlook a team like the Bulls. The Knicks have a window after a brutal early season schedule to give themselves some cushion as a top four seed in a morbid Eastern Conference.
The Knicks started last season 23-2 vs. sub .500 teams. A similar run vs. the worst the NBA has to offer would go a long way.
Despite the loss, there are positives to take away. Namely that KAT looks like a top 10 offensive player in the sport while rebounding and protecting the ball as well as he ever has in his career.
The Knicks need more from Jalen Brunson and more consistency if not dominance from their defense. Both should come in time.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ performance, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- The impact of the Garden crowd on the Knicks’ comeback
- Karl-Anthony Towns’ offensive explosion and defensive challenges
- The Knicks’ defensive struggles and areas for improvement
- Analysis of Jalen Brunson’s performance and his chemistry with Towns
- Upcoming schedule and opportunities for the Knicks to bounce back
Traditionally, press defenses are a weapon of last resort in the NBA, fit only for highly specific scenarios or times of desperation. Professional basketball players simply are too good at passing and dribbling to be susceptible to large doses of full-court press — or so the thinking went. But the thinking, it is a-changin’.
Synergy’s database goes back to the 2008-2009 season, and before last year, only one team had used press on even 5% of their defensive possessions: the 2020-21 Charlotte Hornets.
Last year, however, we saw a notable rise in the press defense, thanks to two teams. The Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers both beat Charlotte’s mark. Portland led the league by pressing 7.2% of the time, yielding only .94 points per possession (well below their typical defensive rating of 1.04, although that’s not by any means an apples-to-apples comparison), and I predicted that this year, the Blazers — featuring heavy doses of ambulatory fly paper Toumani Camara — would crack 10%.
I had the right idea but the wrong team. Instead, the Pacers are currently pressing 11.9% of the time, followed closely by Brooklyn’s 11.5% (the Blazers come in third, with a still historically high 8.4%). In retrospect, Indiana’s surging interest in the press shouldn’t be a huge surprise — they picked up full-court on nearly a quarter of their possessions in last year’s playoffs. That’s insane!
They haven’t been quite that extreme this year, but look at this graph of every team’s percentage of defensive possessions in press defense:
Six teams in total are pressing more than 5% of the time. 22 of the league’s 30 teams are pressing more this year than last (with the caveat that we’re talking about a couple dozen possessions or fewer for many of these teams), and this is by far the most press we’ve seen since the data became available. Given the weaknesses we mentioned in the opening paragraph, why is the press gaining popularity?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis Sam Vecenie of the Athletic breaks down how this year’s rookies have started. I don’t agree with all of his picks, but he’s always thoughtful with his selections and insightful with his analysis. (NY Times, Subscription required)
Personnel HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto goes behind the scenes with the Indiana Pacers’ coaching staff. Mostly, you get a better appreciation for how little coaches sleep!
Must Read Jared Dubin investigates the rise in dunks over time for his newsletter “Last Night, In Basketball.” It’s a fun, breezy read! (Last Night, Subscription required)
Fans Back to the future. The Knicks unveiled their City Edition jerseys for this season. (NBA.com)
Analysis Disappointment looms as Karl-Anthony Towns struggles with free-throw shooting, impacting his overall performance on the court. His frustration is palpable as he seeks to improve. (New York Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Wednesday’s Notable Fantasy Basketball Performances
Nov 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images|Photo By Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
In the ever-evolving world of fantasy basketball, keeping an eye on emerging talents and consistent performers is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s delve into the standout performances of three young guns, as well as the continued dominance of Giannis, and explore their potential impact on your fantasy lineup.
Donovan Clingan: A Rising Star?
Donovan Clingan’s recent performance has caught the attention of fantasy managers everywhere. With 31 minutes on the court, Clingan delivered an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a staggering eight blocks. His ability to dominate the paint and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton’s injury status. While Clingan’s long-term role remains uncertain, his current form makes him a must-add in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of blocks and rebounds.
Jared McCain: Rookie on the Rise
Jared McCain has quickly become a hot topic in fantasy circles, thanks to his explosive performance in the absence of key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid. McCain’s 34-point game, complete with six three-pointers and 10 assists, showcases his potential as a high-usage player. While his current role is bolstered by injuries to teammates, McCain’s talent is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider adding him to their rosters, but remain cautious about his long-term value once the team’s stars return.
Click the button below to see how Giannis continues to be a fantasy force, and why for Victor Wembanyama, the future is now.
Jalen Brunson And Karl-Anthony Towns Help The Knicks Torch The Phoenix Suns
Jalen Brunson loves to play in Phoenix and he made sure the rest of his Knicks teammates had fun as well. A year after dropping 50 in the Valley Of The Sun, Brunson had a little more help this time around combining with Karl-Anthony Towns for 70 points as the Knicks rode a red hot 1st quarter to a 138-122 win. Alex Wolfe and Gavin Schall break down the scalding start, Brunson’s shooting and passing leap, Josh Hart shooting with confidence, KAT breaking down opposing bigs, Mikal finding some confidence, the Knicks struggles to rotate on defense and some updates and insights from Tom Thibodeau.
Something Or Nothing: Does The Knicks Defense Actually Suck? + Can Mikal Bridges Find His Shot?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe play a new Knicks theme’d version of “Something Or Nothing?” by running through six stats/trends (and one conspiracy theory) that have defined the team’s early season. Is the defense really this bad? Did Mikal Bridges really forget how to shoot threes while becoming Kevin Durant in the mid-range? Has Josh Hart transformed into an elite pick and roll operator?
The Knicks Cruise Past the Wizards | Are They Clicking At Just the Right Time?
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks’ drubbing of the Wizards, including huge performances from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, some much-needed rest for the starters, and the continued emergence of Pacome Dadiet as the Knicks approach a very winnable part of their schedule.
